3 ms·

The Prius Prime (PHEV) maxes out at 25 miles of electric range. And that is under optimal conditions. The average daily commute is longer than that.

mlyle 4y ago
I have a Honda Clarity. 48 mile range, though I only charge it to 90%. I've gone 15,000 miles now on about 30 gallons of gas. I keep trying to get over "500 miles to the gallon" but that's a limit I have a hard time surpassing: occasional long trips or forgetting to charge does me in. (Not to mention the car will occasionally burn gas on its own just to confirm the engine is in good working order). It seems like it would be a waste for me to have a 200-300 mile range and no engine. The longest trips would still have been less convenient. And you could build 4-7 cars like mine with the same battery resources.
- ok_dad 4y ago
  Ideally one could configure their hybrid car with different battery to gas tank ratios when they buy it, or perhaps even for a fee after purchase.
  - mlyle 4y ago
    Gas tanks are small and light compared to batteries and engines. It all comes down to how much battery you want, and whether you want an engine.
mixedCase 4y ago
In the US*
cma 4y ago
So then it is better to transition the people with a commute below average first before subsidizing full EV.
- CameronNemo 4y ago
  Wouldn't it be better to transition those people with the longest commutes first, as they use the most energy and have consistent needs?
  - cma 4y ago
    No, because stop-and-go gets the most benefit from regeneration. One full EV for one long commuter who also drives around town, or 7 PHEVs for people that commute shorter but also drive around town. Long haul stuff should probably be transitioned last both with commuting and things like trucking (stop and go things like trash and delivery and bus service makes a lot more sense than targeting cross-country trucking first).

mlyle 4y ago

I have a Honda Clarity. 48 mile range, though I only charge it to 90%. I've gone 15,000 miles now on about 30 gallons of gas. I keep trying to get over "500 miles to the gallon" but that's a limit I have a hard time surpassing: occasional long trips or forgetting to charge does me in. (Not to mention the car will occasionally burn gas on its own just to confirm the engine is in good working order). It seems like it would be a waste for me to have a 200-300 mile range and no engine. The longest trips would still have been less convenient. And you could build 4-7 cars like mine with the same battery resources.

ok_dad 4y ago
Ideally one could configure their hybrid car with different battery to gas tank ratios when they buy it, or perhaps even for a fee after purchase.
- mlyle 4y ago
  Gas tanks are small and light compared to batteries and engines. It all comes down to how much battery you want, and whether you want an engine.

mixedCase 4y ago

In the US*

cma 4y ago

So then it is better to transition the people with a commute below average first before subsidizing full EV.

CameronNemo 4y ago
Wouldn't it be better to transition those people with the longest commutes first, as they use the most energy and have consistent needs?
- cma 4y ago
  No, because stop-and-go gets the most benefit from regeneration. One full EV for one long commuter who also drives around town, or 7 PHEVs for people that commute shorter but also drive around town. Long haul stuff should probably be transitioned last both with commuting and things like trucking (stop and go things like trash and delivery and bus service makes a lot more sense than targeting cross-country trucking first).